History and Objectives: Cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical methods performed on the eye. Endophthalmitis is one of the complications of the eye, which may have serious adverse effect on the patients. In order to address this issue, epidemiologic analysis of microorganisms most prevalent in the anterior chamber fluid among patients undergoing cataract surgery in Matini hospital was investigated in 1996 and 1997.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study on 86 individuals was performed. After sterilization, cataract surgery was performed and after the placement of the lens (ECCE+PCIOL) in the anterior chamber, 0.1mL of the anterior chamber fluid was taken and blood agar and anaerobic thioglyculate plates were inoculated. The extent of infection and confidence interval for the population was obtained. Demographic characteristics of the patients were recorded.

Results: 7% (6 cases) of patients and in the population as whole (CI=12.3 up to 1.6) had microbial growth in their anterior chamber fluid. Staphylococcus coagulase negative was prevalent in men (5.4%) and women (8.2%). Endophthalmitis was not present despite of microbial growth.

Conclusion: 7% of patients had infection which the great majority of them were in their 70-90. Older patients had higher colony count around the eyelash and conjunctiva. This may contribute to increased rate of infection of the anterior chamber infection during the cataract surgery.